MINISTRY NEWS

Dennis Webb retired as pastor at Naperville, effective Dec. 31, after 23 years of service. The church held a potluck celebration for him on his last Sunday, Dec. 28. We are grateful for Dennis’ many years of good service to the district. 

Eric Wetzel was officially installed as pastor at Lanark during a special service led by district executive Walt Wiltschek on Jan. 11. Eric officially began at the church in November. He and his wife, Sherri, are now fully settled into the parsonage in Lanark after moving from Virginia. We welcome them again to our district!

Several other members of the district are exploring calls to ministry. The district’s Ministry Leadership Development Team has connected them with ordained district mentors, and they are forming discernment cohorts to continue exploring paths to ministry. Please be in prayer for them as they seek God’s direction for their lives and work.

A third denominational round table discussion on interim ministry will take place Jan. 26, 6:30-8 p.m. Central, focusing upon the questions of placement surrounding interim/transitional ministry, including lifting up the resources and guidance that local districts are able to supply. Learn more at COB-Interim-Roundtable3.pdf.

A grant is now available for church employees losing ACA credit for their health insurance plans. The grants is available for active employees of a Church of the Brethren district, camp, or congregation through the Church of the Brethren’s Church Workers Assistance Plan via Eder Financial. For more details or to apply contact Diane at cwgrants@eder.org

Note: The IRS mileage rate for business travel is 72.5 cents per mile for 2026, up 2.5 cents from 2025. 

Congregational vacancies/updates: 

Cerro Gordo: A search committee has been formed, and a congregational profile is now available. Cerro Gordo is currently using pulpit supply. District executive Walt Wiltschek will be meeting with the search committee again in March. 

Highland Avenue (Elgin): Krista Dutt (Chicago First) was commissioned (ordained for term of service) in the Church of the Brethren in October and is serving as interim pastor. The congregation has called a search committee, and a profile is now available.

Mount Morris: The congregation is meeting in the Allure of Pinecrest Grove community building and is using pulpit supply during the winter while negotiations with an interim pastor are under way. Jonathan Shively will be doing a consultation process with Mount Morris in the coming months as they discern direction. Conversations about next steps for pastoral ministry are ongoing.

Naperville: Dennis Webb retired as pastor effective Dec. 31. A search committee has been formed and is developing a profile. Conversations about interim possibilities are under way with the church board. Naperville will be using pulpit supply during the winter.

Woodland: Local pastor Mathew Thiner and Woodland member Kevin Sager are taking turns filling the pulpit, an arrangement the congregation says is working well for them at this time.

York Center (Lombard): Gay Bouwmeester began as part-time interim pastor Nov. 16. The congregation is working on next steps, and a congregational profile is available.